Springbok Pollard joining Montpellier after World Cup

Handre Pollard is third on South Africa's all-time points scoring list with 339

Handre Pollard is third on South Africa's all-time points scoring list with 339 (AFP Photo/Andy BUCHANAN)

Paris (AFP) - South Africa fly half Handre Pollard will join French club Montpellier after the Rugby World Cup, his current side the Blue Bulls announced on Tuesday.

Pollard, 25, has featured 39 times scoring 339 points for the Springboks since his debut in 2014 and will head to France after the competition ends in November.

The 2014 World Junior player of the year has spent six years at the Pretoria-based franchise since arriving straight from school.

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The outside half will move to Montpellier under a new head coach as former France international Xavier Garbajosa was appointed to the position earlier this week with current boss Vern Cotter named the club's director of rugby.

"He has been an outstanding asset, not only to the teams he played for, but also our supporters, to whom he endeared himself from early on with his attitude towards the Bulls," the Bulls' CEO Alfons Meyer said on the side's website.

France captain Guillhem Guirado is also heading the side who finished runners up in the Top 14 least season.

Pollard will be replaced by former Bulls stand-off Morne Steyn who is returning to Loftus Versfield after six years in France with Stade Francais.

Experienced duo Schalk Brits and Lood de Jager will both depart the Bulls alongside Pollard at the end of the campaign.